Between Friends

“It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees”-- Emiliano Zapata

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Legolas slowly slid out of her as Annowe moved to lie beside him. His eyes shone in the light and Annowe stifled a sob as she thought of him going south to Mordor. He was so beautiful and perfect. She could not bear losing him.

Silently she wrapped her arms around him and held him like she would never let him go. He seemed to understand her melancholy and smoothed her hair as he murmured softly to her. After a few moments he stopped speaking and his breath became more even as he fell into a deep sleep.

He was here and safe with her now but when would he leave? She wondered. It would not be long. Evil was creeping across the land and they would have to move quickly to stop it. Annowe shivered against Legolas. Why? Why did he feel the need to see that accursed thing destroyed? She cursed his noble hide as she squeezed him protectively.

Who was she worried for more? Legolas with The Ring? Or herself with Haldir? She shut her eyes, determined not to think of the March Warden again. But once Legolas was gone leaving her “cold and lonely” (Haldir’s voice echoed the words in her head), there would be nothing between her and the March Warden. Annowe nuzzled against Legolas’ warm neck, silently begging him to stay with her. She irrationally feared being left alone with Haldir.

She was certain that once Legolas left on his errand, she would need to get as far away from Haldir as possible. The winter solstice was passed and she yearned to return to the south sea. Yes, she realized. The south sea. The south sea was far enough away from Lothlorien and Haldir would not venture to the open water until he had heard the call. She would be safe there. Safe from Haldir but far removed from Legolas should he need her.

Annowe frowned at the thought. She wanted to stay close to Legolas in case he needed her. But she needed to stay far away enough from Haldir to avoid him. She grunted in frustration. Everything had seemed to be going so well. Then Haldir had inexplicably appeared to torment her. “What is he about?” She wondered. “Why has he suddenly taken an interest in me after all of these years?”

She shifted next to the sleeping elf, not wanting to disturb him. She felt as if she were betraying Legolas by thinking of Haldir at such an intimate moment. But the March Warden had disturbed her. His sudden and unexpected interest in her was unnerving, to say the least. She wondered again if perhaps he was trying to torment Legolas for some reason.

“I thought elves were supposed to be ‘above’ all that,” she mused then smiled. “They are also supposed to easily resist physical desire as well.” Her trembling fingers skimmed over Legolas’ soft flesh and she gave thanks that he had chosen to indulge his physical desires with her. It seemed like an age ago that they had left this very room to scout the area south for Elrond. So much had changed and yet so little.

The nymph sighed and touched her lips softly to Legolas’ bare chest. She wanted to wake him, to tell him – what? Not to go? How afraid she was for him? How afraid for herself and her own weakness she was? She swallowed back her tears. She could not lay that on him. Not now. He had greater worries than Haldir. He might never return to her. Then what? She forcefully pushed that thought from her mind. No. He would return. He would come back to her safely. She would go mad if he did not.

For the first time in more years than she could remember, Annowe began to think of her own death. She had understood that nymphs, like elves, could will themselves to die. It would be a long and painful process but it could be done. Could she leave her family? Her sisters and cousins? If Legolas did not succeed on his crazy mission there would be no reason for her to live, would there? If Legolas did not succeed that would mean that The Ring was back in the possession of its master. Annowe shivered at the thought and snuggled closer to the elf.

The Ring back in the possession of its master - the very thought made her blood run cold. He would destroy them. All of them and there would be no Alliances of Elves and Men. There would be no mercy and no place to hide. If Legolas did not succeed, there would be no reason for her to live. But she would not go out alone. No, if she were going to perish, she would take as many of the evil ones with her as she could.

She did not fear death as much as she feared subjugation to the Dark Lord. Legolas did not fully understand the torture and pain that Sauron would inflict upon a captured creature. Especially an elf. Annowe pressed her lips to Legolas’ smooth neck and left them there, feeling his delicate warm skin and smelling his wonderful scent.

Part of her desired to follow him in order to keep him under her protective watch but she knew he would never allow it. The thought of him falling into Sauron’s hands terrified her beyond all reason. She could never – would never – allow him to be taken alive. Immediately she pushed that thought from her mind. She could not begin thinking such dire thoughts when he was here with her now, safe in her arms.

Slowly, deliberately, she began kissing her way over his soft skin and smiled as she felt him stir next to her. Her teeth nipped at his pelvis and he gasped softly, still only half awake. Very gently, Annowe took his semi-hard shaft into her mouth. Legolas groaned and grabbed a handful of her hair, his every sense immediately awake and alert.

“Annowe,” he moaned, as he grew stiffer under her attentive tongue. “Are you trying to kill me so I cannot leave you?”

She laughed, causing him to hiss with pleasure. “Don’t give me any ideas,” she murmured, taking him all the way into her mouth.

Legolas cried out softly as his eyes closed in pleasure. He was a fool to leave her. Only a fool would leave such a passionate creature to go on a suicide mission. Why? Why had he volunteered to go? He was leaving everything he desired behind. Leaving Annowe behind. He would be cold and alone on the long road to Mordor. And Annowe? He opened his eyes and looked down at her eagerly pleasuring him. She would never want for company if she so desired. Well, he determined. He would make sure she did NOT desire another.

In one swift motion, he pulled her up his body and held her closely. “Annowe,” he murmured softly to her. “I never want you to forget. I want you to always remember the desire you’ve kindled in me. I will never be able to forget the feeling of your skin against mine. I want inside of you.”

“Legolas,” she breathed. “I could never forget you.” She stroked the hair from his face. “Such a gentle and considerate lover.” She sucked his earlobe gently. Legolas closed his eyes.

“Please,” he whispered. “Promise me you will go someplace safe. I need to know you will be safe while I am away.”

“Yes. I promise,” she whispered, kissing him softly on the corner of his mouth.

Hungrily, his lips found hers and he felt the need for her well up in him again. He squeezed her tightly, his hands gripping her soft flesh. Slowly he rolled her over so that he was on top of her, his supple body pressing her into the sheets. Where their skin touched, Legolas could feel his body tingle.

“I am a fool,” he murmured. “A fool to leave you.”

“I must agree,” Annowe smiled, wrapping her arms around him comfortingly. “Just don’t end up a dead fool.”

A soft rapping on the door drew their attention. They looked at each other with wide eyes before Legolas spoke.

“Who is it?” He called out.

“Legolas, it is time,” came Elrond’s answer. “We are gathering in the garden.”

“I will be there,” Legolas answered and moved to leave.

“No,” Annowe hissed desperately, refusing to let go of him. “One last time. Quickly, Legolas, please! I need you inside of me one last time.”

Grinning, he obeyed and slid himself into her. She whined with relief. Legolas moaned as the pleasure coursed through his veins.

He slid his hands down to her thighs, adjusting her under him. Slowly, he ran his hand down one of her legs and she raised it higher. He moaned as he slid even deeper into her, hooking her ankle up on his shoulder.

She raised her other leg and he let her slip it over his shoulder as well. Now he was even deeper inside her and he closed his eyes as he slowly drove himself into her. His body quivered with restraint.

“Don’t fight it, Legolas,” she murmured. “You know what I like. We don’t have much time.”

He opened his eyes to gaze down at her. He wanted to fill her completely. He wanted to drive every other thought out of her body and mind. Seeing her helpless under him and hearing her voice beg him to “ride me harder, Legolas” was nearly enough to make him come immediately but he managed to restrain himself for a few minutes. He wanted to enjoy it for a little while at least!

His rhythm began to increase as the overwhelming desire of his quivering body took hold in him. He could throw himself totally into the physical pleasure without restraint and he did so whole-heartedly. Every inch of his form sang with the exquisite sensation of being inside of the nymph and he concentrated on it fully.

“Legolas,” she moaned several times as his swelling shaft continued to plunge into her. “Yes, Legolas. Come for me. Give yourself over to it.”

He willingly obliged her, increasing his rhythm and penetration as she cried out and writhed under him, driving his body closer to orgasm. Her gasps of pleasure and writhing form urged him to climax and he quickly felt the warmth begin to spread through him.

“Annowe,” he gasped, shocked at how quickly he could come when he concentrated on his own pleasure instead of hers. A pang of guilt stabbed at him.

“Don’t fight it, my prince. I need you to come for me,” she breathed.

Almost immediately, he could feel the tingle spreading through his body as he contracted inside of her.

“Yes,” he moaned, thrusting his spurting shaft deep within her and holding himself there. Relief flooded his body as the pleasure overwhelmed him.

Annowe slid her legs off of his shoulders and held him tightly. She could hear the voices in the garden drifting up through her open window. Fleetingly she wondered if they might leave without him. If he did not arrive, would they leave?

Legolas’ sensitive ears picked up the sounds as well and he relaxed only slightly against Annowe.

“I must go,” he whispered, his body still tingling from his orgasm and begging him to stay with her.

“I know,” she answered.

He slipped from her grasp and quickly cleaned himself off then slipped into his clothes while she silently watched him.

He paused next to the bed and tenderly reached out to stroke her cheek.

“Wait for me,” he begged. She grasped his hand and tenderly kissed the inside of his wrist, her eyes never leaving his.

“Legolas!” a voice called from outside of the window.

“Yes,” she answered as he turned and slipped out the door.

Annowe hopped from the bed and pulled her robe on before moving to the balcony. Legolas emerged from the door below to join his traveling companions in the garden.

She examined each of his companions closely, wondering which one carried the accursed object and hoping that they would return safely. She saw the ranger cast a glance up at her and smile knowingly. A slight blush crept into her cheeks and she smiled slightly. Legolas’ scent was still on her skin.

One by one the walkers filed out the garden gate, some of them more eager than others to begin their long journey. Legolas lingered and looked up at Annowe. She smiled bravely back at him, the color of their dalliance still high on her cheeks. He smiled faintly, his body still tingling from his climax.

“Fear not, my friend,” Haldir’s soft voice came from the shadows near the gate. “I will keep her safe while you are gone.”

Instantly, Legolas jerked around to see the March Warden standing near the wall, a wicked gleam in his pale eyes. Legolas took one step toward his nemesis before Aragorn grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks.

“Legolas, no,” the ranger growled softly. “We don’t have time for this.”

Glaring evilly at Haldir, Legolas finally turned and walked through the gate as Annowe watched him go. Her heart slowly slid into her stomach and she fought to hold back the tears.

Aragorn nodded curtly to the March Warden and followed his friend through the gate, closing it softly behind him. With a smile, Haldir emerged from the shadows and looked up at Annowe who quickly fled back into the safety her room.

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